heart. Because he loves us intensely, he wishes to he tenderly loved by us. ” When, ” says St. Bernard, ” God loves, he desires nothing else than to he loved; for he loves only that he may be loved." (Serm. lxiii., in Cant.) It was to inflame us with his divine love that the Eternal Word descended from heaven. So he himself has declared; adding, that he only desires to see this fire lighted up in our hearts. ” I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled?" (Luke xii. 49.) Let us now see what means we ought to adopt in order to love God.
7. In the first place, we ought to guard against every sin, whether mortal or venial. ” If, ” says Jesus Christ, ” any one love me, he will keep my word." (John xiv. 23.) The first mark of love is to endeavour not to give the smallest displeasure to the beloved. How can he be said to love God with his whole heart, who is not afraid to commit deliberate venial offences against God? St. Teresa used to say to her spiritual children: ” From deliberate sin, however small, may God deliver you." But some will say: Venial sin is a small evil. Is it a small evil to displease a God who is so good, and who loves us so tenderly?
8. In the second place, to love God with the whole heart, it is necessary to have a great desire to love him. Holy desires are the wings with which we fly to God; for, as St. Lawrence Justinian says, a good desire gives us strength to go forward, and lightens the labour of walking in the way of God. ” Vires subministrat, posnam exhibet leviorem." According to the spiritual masters, he that does not advance in the way of the Lord goes back; but, on the other hand, God cheerfully gives himself to those who seek after him. ” The Lord is good to the soul that seeketh him." (Lamen. iii. 25.) He fills with his own good things all who desire him through love. ” He hath filled the hungry with good things." (Luke i. 53.)
9. In the third place, it is necessary to resolve courageously, to arrive at the perfect love of God. Some persons desire to belong entirely to God, but do not resolve to adopt the means. It is of them the Wise Man says, ” Desires kill the soul." (Prov. xxi. 25.) I
